Shame

Iskander achieves his dream of becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. A series of images are published to commemorate his ascent to power, and the narrator notes that the election was rigged in Iskander’s favor. In the aftermath, a bloody and brutal war breaks out between the eastern and western parts of Pakistan. The Western forces hope to cling to their diminishing power in the region due to the number of business ventures that are still in the area; however, after a short conflict, the Western forces are defeated. The independent country of Bangladesh is created when the Eastern part of Pakistan secedes from the Western part. Iskander benefits from the civil war, while the Army loses its glamor and status. Arjumand reflects on this turn of events in the future, though she never abandons her positive view of her father as a great man. Iskander decides to appoint Raza as his most trusted advisor and the leader of his military.

During this time, Arjumand becomes more involved in politics. Her radical approach involves ordering the houses of famous actors to be searched; anyone who opposes her father is thrown in jail. Her refusal to marry leads to her nickname: “the virgin Ironpants” (183).